John Wile
Encyclopedia
John David Wile is an English
former footballer
and manager
.
Wile played as a central defender for Sunderland
, although he did not play a Football League match for them. In 1967–68 he signed for Peterborough United
, having had a trial there first. He made 130 senior appearances for The Posh between 1967 and 1970.
Wile then joined West Bromwich Albion
in December 1970. He spent more than 12 years at Albion, and formed a solid defensive partnership with Ally Robertson
. Wile was club captain during the late 1970s and early 1980s, leading the team to two FA Cup
semi-finals and a 3rd place finish in Division One. Wile was also briefly caretaker manager at Albion, taking charge following the departure of Ronnie Allen
in December 1977 until the appointment of Ron Atkinson
in January 1978.
His most famous moment came when he played with blood pouring from a headwound during the 1978 FA Cup semi-final against Ipswich
at Highbury
. After leaving Albion in June 1983, Wile returned to Peterborough as player-manager after missing out on a similar post at Bolton Wanderers
a year earlier. He later returned to West Bromwich as managing director, a position he occupied from 1997 through to 2002.
In 2004 he was named as one of West Bromwich Albion's 16 greatest players, in a poll organised as part of the club's 125th anniversary celebrations.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
and manager
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
.
Wile played as a central defender for Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
, although he did not play a Football League match for them. In 1967–68 he signed for Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
, having had a trial there first. He made 130 senior appearances for The Posh between 1967 and 1970.
Wile then joined West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
in December 1970. He spent more than 12 years at Albion, and formed a solid defensive partnership with Ally Robertson
Ally Robertson
Alistair Peter "Ally" Robertson is a Scottish former footballer who played as a central defender.-Career:Robertson joined West Bromwich Albion as an apprentice in July 1968 and turned professional in September 1969...
. Wile was club captain during the late 1970s and early 1980s, leading the team to two FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
semi-finals and a 3rd place finish in Division One. Wile was also briefly caretaker manager at Albion, taking charge following the departure of Ronnie Allen
Ronnie Allen
Ronald "Ronnie" Allen was an English international football player and manager. He was a professional footballer for nineteen years, between 1946 and 1964, making 638 appearances in the Football League, and scoring 276 goals. He also won five caps for England national team...
in December 1977 until the appointment of Ron Atkinson
Ron Atkinson
Ronald Ernest Atkinson, commonly known as "Big Ron" and "Bojangles" is an English former football player and manager. In recent years he has become one of Britain's best-known football pundits...
in January 1978.
His most famous moment came when he played with blood pouring from a headwound during the 1978 FA Cup semi-final against Ipswich
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
at Highbury
Arsenal Stadium
Arsenal Stadium was a football stadium in Highbury, North London, which was the home ground of Arsenal Football Club between 6 September 1913 and 7 May 2006...
. After leaving Albion in June 1983, Wile returned to Peterborough as player-manager after missing out on a similar post at Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
a year earlier. He later returned to West Bromwich as managing director, a position he occupied from 1997 through to 2002.
In 2004 he was named as one of West Bromwich Albion's 16 greatest players, in a poll organised as part of the club's 125th anniversary celebrations.